Hawaii 2013:12

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The Official E-Newsletter of the Hawaii Local

December 2013

CONSERVATORY REPORT

This year we had several workshops. Iris Klein returned and taught an acting workshop in July that sold out, and I taught three sold-out audition clinics. We’ll be having some new and returning teachers coming to teach next year. Board member Joyce Maltby, Theo Coumbis and Paul Mitri have indicated interest in teaching a workshop. Also, Iris Klein plans to return in the summer and I will teach another workshop in January. As always, the Hawaii Conservatory is actively seeking qualified instructors. If you believe you qualify or know someone who does, please contact Brenda at the office. I want to take this time to thank the conservatory committee members: Dennis Chun, Sally Davis, Lynne Halevi, Becky Maltby and Lisa Romano.

Keep us up to date with your current contact information. If your email address is not listed with the national and/or the Hawaii Local, you are not receiving the latest news on productions, conservatory workshops and what’s going on. If you have changed your email address, please send us your new one so we can keep you informed.

President’s Report

Aloha Sisters and Brothers,

As you know, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists finally merged in 2012 to become SAG-AFTRA, a far more powerful bargaining force on behalf of its members than its formerly individual parts. We held our first unified union elections this year, and the elected board members, officers and delegates are grateful for your support and confidence. Of all the 25 locals (including New York and Los Angeles), we had the highest voter turnout.

In our Hawaii Local, our 900-plus active members enjoy film work opportunities as a result of the passage of Act 88 in 2006, the refundable production tax credit enacted through the efforts of the local film industry unions, film offices and industry groups (increased from 15 percent to 20 percent for Oahu; from 20 percent to 25 percent on neighbor islands, with the sunset date extended to 2019). In addition, Act 88’s economic benefit to the wider community is substantial and invaluable.

In response to some apparent confusion about the status of legacy SAG Global Rule One and legacy AFTRA No Contract/No Work Rule in our post-merger SAG-AFTRA world, we sent an email blast to our members with the short answer: Global Rule One is alive and well (see Rule One article in the newsletter).

Following are some of the highlights of the year 2013 events and accomplishments:

What remains ahead for our SAG-AFTRA local — in addition to our ongoing work of service to our members and to our community and facilitation of major film and television projects — is the organizing of local commercial work that has for many years suffered from a lack of professional quality. The payoff is win/win: advertising that is effective and work for our professional actors.

The future, in short, is extremely promising. Here’s to another banner year in 2014.

In solidarity,David C. Farmer, President

National Board Member’s Report

Aloha. Here are a few highlights from the national board:

Convention

I attended the historic first SAG-AFTRA National Convention, where we voted on many resolutions and several amendments to our constitution.

COL Meeting

Before attending the national board meeting, I attended the COL meeting (committee of all the locals outside of L.A. and N.Y.). We discussed many issues, most of which are confidential, and we elected Denny Delk (San Francisco) as vice chair, mid-sized locals and Suzanne Burkhead (Dallas) as vice chair, small locals.

National Board meeting

• Financial Report: Numbers look good. Budget is now balanced and moving in a positive direction.• P&H/H&R: The funds are both healthy. Focused on merger of the plans. • Committees: We voted on and passed the committee chair recommendations;Populated only the essential committees; Passed resolution to create 2014 TV/Theatrical Negotiations Committee.• Resolution: One-year extension to Corporate/Educational and Non-Broadcast Contract.• Teleconferences: In the weeks following the national board meeting, I participated in several teleconferences with national board members, staff and officers. President Howard approved the national committee chairs (I was named co-chair of the National Conservatory Committee). We then proceeded to populate national committees and do other union business. I was very proud to see several Hawaii members named to national committees (including our president, David Farmer, who was named to the national Dancers Committee and the national Government Review Committee). Well done, Hawaii members!

In solidarity,Scott Rogers, National Board Member

Global Rule One

Recently there has been some apparent confusion about the status of legacy SAG Global Rule One in our post-merger SAG-AFTRA world. The short answer is, as more fully explained below, Global Rule One is alive and well.

Please understand that, although there is a real question why any professional would want to work for less than contractual scale or give up contractually guaranteed benefits and on-set protections, there are also real and substantial potential penalties involved for violation of Global Rule One.

What is Global Rule One and No Contract/No Work?

Global Rule One for all SAG-AFTRA members states that "No member shall work as a performer or make an agreement to work as a performer for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the [union] which is in full force and effect." This provision is worldwide.

The SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement (Section VI.C, Initial Rules, Regulations and Policies) specifically provides that the AFTRA “No Contract/ No Work” Rule and SAG Global Rule One continue to apply after merger just as they always have. The merger agreement also provides that the rules and regulations of both legacy entities shall remain in effect post-merger (Section VI.A) until or at such time the national board adopts different rules, regulations or policies.

Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, SAG Global Rule One and the AFTRA No Contract/No Work Rule are substantially the same. The fact that AFTRA’s No Contract/No Work rule applies differently in single-employer situations will not change the way Global Rule One is enforced and No Contract/No Work applies in areas such as commercials, scripted TV, interactive, etc.

We Stand Together

No Contract/No Work and Rule One are among the founding principles and strengths of our union: We stand together as actors and do not work without a union contract, where there are multiemployer industrywide contracts in place. Up until May 1, 2002, Global Rule One was enforced on productions shot in the United States. Now Global Rule One applies to members working outside the U.S. for foreign producers.

The best way to encourage producers to sign SAG-AFTRA contracts is for every union member to refuse to accept non-union work. Stand firm with the knowledge that non-union work holds no guaranteed provisions for overtime pay, residuals, liquidated damages for late payments, assistance from staff in collecting monies owed or contributions to pension and health coverage. Sacrifices made by over seven decades of loyal union members have achieved these benefits and much more. Without Global Rule One there are no protections or benefits. Without Global Rule One, we performers stand alone.

Background on Global Rule One Protections

Beginning on May 1, 2002, SAG expanded its protections globally to better serve the needs of members in this rapidly changing, global entertainment economy and to ensure that the protections of the union followed members wherever they worked.

Similarly, AFTRA’s No Contract/No Work Rule applied to all AFTRA members, regardless of category, in jurisdictions where there are multiemployer, industrywide agreements. For example, commercials, non-broadcast, scripted television, and interactive — just like SAG’s Global Rule One.

Members who violate Global Rule One are subject to disciplinary proceedings conducted by fellow members and may be reprimanded, censured, fined, suspended or expelled from the union. (Article XIV, Discipline of Members, SAG-AFTRA Constitution). The union will continue to discipline those found guilty of violating the rule.

Further Information

If you know of members who are violating Global Rule One in any local, or if you have any doubt whether a particular project is covered by a union contract or any other related questions, please report the facts to Brenda Ching, our local executive director at brenda.ching@sagaftra.org or (808) 596-038 or Sally Tich, senior manager compliance, at (323) 549-6019. Your report will be totally confidential — your name will not be revealed to the alleged violator without your consent.

Enter stage left

By Becky Maltby

Background actors have been given lines recently; I saw it happen more than once on the untitled Cameron Crowe movie set. Suddenly, a once-background actor is upgraded to principal, given a dressing room and a contract. This is great if you know what you’re doing. But if you’ve never acted before, the deceptively simple task of delivering a line of dialogue can become complicated when your face is in front of the camera, all eyes are on you, you can’t stand your own voice, you’re worrying that extra dessert will show through your shirt — anything can be a potential issue and paranoia can take over.

Experience helps. The importance of training has been emphasized many times in this newsletter. Scott Rogers’ Studio, Wayne Ward and many other excellent teachers are out there and great sources for training on Oahu.

But if budget is an issue and time is more accessible, consider the benefits of theater if you’re looking to learn the craft of acting. With some fine-tuned adjustments, stage and film acting is one and the same. Acting is about truth, telling a story in a truthful way whether you’re running from Godzilla or Hamlet. Though not every director or show is right for everyone, and theater requires several weeks of one’s time and commitment — for NO pay or a small honorarium — it can change your life. Hawaii has a booming theater community, from musicals to imrov groups to Shakespeare and everything in between. Volunteers are always welcome, not only as actors, but stage crew, assistant directors, stage managers, etc. A lot can be learned from the experience of putting on a production even if you don’t always land a role. Check out the all-volunteer website for info on auditions and much more.

True story: I was never asked to read for the role I had on Baywatch Hawaii. I had several lines and a lot of screen time opposite two hunky lifeguards. I was called in based on my headshot and resume and met the director. My theater background was stressed by the casting director and the director hired me on the spot. The first time he heard me deliver my lines was on set. So don’t be afraid to hit the boards and break a leg!

Consolidated Discount Movie Ticket Rate to Increase

Aloha. We have a limited supply of Consolidated Movie Tickets left at $6.75 each. Once we run out, the new discount movie tickets will cost $7 each. Please call the office, (808) 596-0388, to be sure Brenda is in if you would like to pick up movie tickets. Aloha.

SAG-AFTRA Members, We Want to Hear from You

SAG-AFTRA has begun the consultation process on a draft Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct and wants stakeholders — such as our members — to comment on the working document by Dec. 9.

As part of its continuing mission to expand upon and forge new industry relationships, SAG-AFTRA is prepping for the final release and implementation of a Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct, a voluntary agreement that will be designed to promote honest and ethical relationships between the union's members and those they choose to represent them as managers.

The purpose of the document is to further enhance relations with personal managers and ensure SAG-AFTRA members have access to appropriate representation with all the rights and obligations contained therein.

The Code of Ethics and Conduct is intended to be a completely voluntary document that is designed to protect both managers and SAG-AFTRA members by deepening the ties between managers and the union. Interested stakeholders should send their observations, questions and comments to managers@sagaftra.org, a dedicated email address set up for members and managers alike to communicate with the union. To review the working document, go to SAGAFTRA.org/managers.